New Senate Minority whip John Cornyn of Texas, left, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. From left are, Cornyn, as Sen, John Barrasso, R-Wyo., John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg) less

New Senate Minority whip John Cornyn of Texas, left, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. From left are, Cornyn, as Sen, John Barrasso, R-Wyo., John Thune, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 14: U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) (L), speaks to the media while flanked by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), on November 14, 2012 in Washington, DC. The Senators spoke briefly to reporters after attending a policy luncheon. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) less

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 14: U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) (L), speaks to the media while flanked by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), on November 14, 2012 in Washington, DC. The Senators spoke ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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New Senate Minority whip John Cornyn of Texas, left, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. From left are, Cornyn, as Sen, John Barrasso, R-Wyo., John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg) less

New Senate Minority whip John Cornyn of Texas, left, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. From left are, Cornyn, as Sen, John Barrasso, R-Wyo., John Thune, ... more

John Cornyn is interviewed after leaving the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC after the morning session March 27, 2012.

John Cornyn is interviewed after leaving the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC after the morning session March 27, 2012.

Photo: Karen Bleier / AFP/Getty Images

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Sen. John Cornyn is interviewed after leaving the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC after the morning session March 27, 2012.

Sen. John Cornyn is interviewed after leaving the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC after the morning session March 27, 2012.

Photo: Karen Bleier / AFP/Getty Images

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John Cornyn and John Kerry descend the steps of the US Supreme Court in Washington after the morning session on March 27, 2012.

John Cornyn and John Kerry descend the steps of the US Supreme Court in Washington after the morning session on March 27, 2012.

Photo: Karen Bleier / Getty Images

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Sen. John Cornyn, Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., and Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. watch a monitor as President Barack Obama speaks about the Keystone XL pipeline live from Cushing, Okla., before their news conference on the same subject, Thursday, March 22, 2012, on Capitol Hill in Washington. less

Sen. John Cornyn, Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., and Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. watch a monitor as President Barack Obama speaks about the Keystone XL pipeline live from Cushing, Okla., before their news conference ... more

Photo: Charles Dharapak / The Associated Press

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President Barack Obama is seen on a television screen speaking live about the Keystone XL pipeline from Cushing, Okla., as Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D. talk before the start of their news conference about the same oil pipeline, Thursday, March 22, 2012, on Capitol Hill in Washington. less

President Barack Obama is seen on a television screen speaking live about the Keystone XL pipeline from Cushing, Okla., as Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D. talk before the start of their ... more

Sen John Cornyn points to his lapel pin as he speaks about the Keystone XL pipeline during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 22, 2012.

Sen John Cornyn points to his lapel pin as he speaks about the Keystone XL pipeline during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 22, 2012.

Photo: Charles Dharapak / The Associated Press

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Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, talks to Texas Sen. John Cornyn, John Hoeven, R-N.D., and John Thune, R-S.D., prior to a news conference on gas prices on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 29, 2012.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, talks to Texas Sen. John Cornyn, John Hoeven, R-N.D., and John Thune, R-S.D., prior to a news conference on gas prices on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 29, 2012.

Photo: Jacquelyn Martin / The Associated Press

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Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, criticizes U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder as he speaks to activists from America's political right at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. less

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, criticizes U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder as he speaks to activists from America's political right at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, Saturday, ... more

Photo: J. Scott Applewhite / The Associated Press

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hJohn Cornyn questions Attorney General Eric Holder as the Senate Judiciary Committee investigates the controversial “Operation Fast and Furious” gunrunning program and how firearms wound up in the hands of Mexican drug cartels, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011. less

hJohn Cornyn questions Attorney General Eric Holder as the Senate Judiciary Committee investigates the controversial “Operation Fast and Furious” gunrunning program and how firearms wound up in the hands ... more

Photo: J. Scott Applewhite / The Associated Press

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In this file photo, Defense Secretary of Defense nominee, CIA Director Leon Panetta, is greeted on Capitol Hill in Washington by Sen. John Cornyn as he arrived to testify before a Senate Armed Service Committee hearing on his nomination on June 9, 2011 less

In this file photo, Defense Secretary of Defense nominee, CIA Director Leon Panetta, is greeted on Capitol Hill in Washington by Sen. John Cornyn as he arrived to testify before a Senate Armed Service ... more

Sen. John Cornyn checks his watch before an unusual closed session in the Old Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington Monday, Dec. 20, 2010.

Sen. John Cornyn checks his watch before an unusual closed session in the Old Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington Monday, Dec. 20, 2010.

Photo: Alex Brandon / The Associated Press

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Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., welcomes Sen. John Cornyn to the stage during the Republican National Congressional Committee's midterm election results watch party at the Grand Hyatt hotel Nov. 2, 2010 in Washington, DC. less

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., welcomes Sen. John Cornyn to the stage during the Republican National Congressional Committee's midterm election results watch party at the Grand Hyatt hotel Nov. 2, 2010 in ... more

Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

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Sen. John Cornyn during a news conference after taking a tour of the Port of Hidalgo on Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, in Hidalgo, Texas.

Sen. John Cornyn during a news conference after taking a tour of the Port of Hidalgo on Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, in Hidalgo, Texas.

The US flag flies at half-staff as Senator John Cornyn delivers remarks on Nov. 6, 2009 outside US Army III Corps Headquarters one day after the shootings at Fort Hood in Texas.

The US flag flies at half-staff as Senator John Cornyn delivers remarks on Nov. 6, 2009 outside US Army III Corps Headquarters one day after the shootings at Fort Hood in Texas.

Photo: Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images

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Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including Sen. John Cornyn, participate in the committee's markup vote on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, Tuesday, July 28, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington. less

Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including Sen. John Cornyn, participate in the committee's markup vote on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, Tuesday, July 28, 2009, on Capitol Hill in ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh / The Associated Press

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Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor talks with Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday July 14, 2009, during a break in her confirmation hearing.

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor talks with Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday July 14, 2009, during a break in her confirmation hearing.

Photo: Charles Dharapak / The Associated Press

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Supreme Court Justice nominee, Sonia Sotomayor meets with Sen. John Cornyn in his office on Capitol Hill June 4, 2009 in Washington, DC.

Supreme Court Justice nominee, Sonia Sotomayor meets with Sen. John Cornyn in his office on Capitol Hill June 4, 2009 in Washington, DC.

Photo: Mark Wilson / Getty Images

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Senator John Cornyn greets US Army Lieutenant General Benjamin C. Freakley, Commanding General of the US Army Accessions Command, before a hearing on the incidence and prevention of military suicides by the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, March 18, 2009. less

Senator John Cornyn greets US Army Lieutenant General Benjamin C. Freakley, Commanding General of the US Army Accessions Command, before a hearing on the incidence and prevention of military suicides by the ... more

Photo: Jonathan Ernst / For the Chronicle

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Sen. John Cornyn takes his seat for a hearing on the incidence and prevention of military suicides by the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington on March 18, 2009.

Sen. John Cornyn takes his seat for a hearing on the incidence and prevention of military suicides by the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington on March 18, 2009.

Photo: Jonathan Ernst / For the Chronicle

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John Cornyn makes remarks at a hearing on the incidence and prevention of military suicides by the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, March 18, 2009.

John Cornyn makes remarks at a hearing on the incidence and prevention of military suicides by the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, March 18, 2009.

Photo: Jonathan Ernst / For the Chronicle

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Brigadier General Frank Turner addresses the media and Army personnel with John Cornyn about the recent trend of suicides in the Battalion and averting future tragedies, at the River Oaks Recruiting Station Friday, Feb. 20, 2009, in Houston. less

Brigadier General Frank Turner addresses the media and Army personnel with John Cornyn about the recent trend of suicides in the Battalion and averting future tragedies, at the River Oaks Recruiting Station ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Sen. John Cornyn talks with reporters after a series of amendment votes on the economic stimulus legislation in the U.S. Capitol Feb. 6, 2009 in Washington, DC.

Sen. John Cornyn talks with reporters after a series of amendment votes on the economic stimulus legislation in the U.S. Capitol Feb. 6, 2009 in Washington, DC.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

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Cornyn's high-profile border security amendment shot down in favor of new Gang of Eight compromise

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After weeks of aggressive campaigning on the chamber floor, Sen. John Cornyn saw his high-profile border security amendment shelved in favor of a new Gang of Eight-backed compromise.

Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid motioned to table Cornyn’s RESULTS amendment with the support of Vermont Democrat Sen. Patrick Leahy in efforts to move forward with the 250 amendments to comprehensive immigration reform currently under consideration. The motion was approved 54-43.

Leading the Republican thrust for tougher border enforcement, Cornyn’s controversial amendment would have required 100 percent operational control of the Southwest border before immigrants could be granted Regional Provisional Immigrant (RPI) status.

Instead, GOP Sens. Mark Kirk of Illinois, Bob Corker of Tennessee and John Hoeven of North Dakota are drafting a new border security compromise – without the input of Cornyn or Sen. Ted Cruz — that Reid said was still being finalized by legislative counsel.

Reid has called the Cornyn amendment a “poison pill” to the progress of the bill, but Cornyn has countered that it is instead an “antidote” to the legislation because the Gang of Eight proposal as it stands would be “dead on arrival” in the House. House Republicans have also called for beefed-up border enforcement, and Speaker John Boehner vowed to only bring a bill to the floor that was supported by a majority of Republicans.

Though Gang of Eight legislators Sen. Michael Bennet and Sen. Jeff Flake had previously said they were open to the provisions outlined in the RESULTS amendment, they voted to table the piece of legislation. Notably, Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio voted to keep the amendment alive.

Though it was expected to fail, Cornyn returned to the Senate floor this afternoon to defend his amendment one final time, demanding that it “must pass.”

Leahy said some of the border security underpinnings of Cornyn’s amendment are valid, but “most of it is bad” in that it “imposes unrealistic triggers” that make the pathway to citizenship elusive.

Leahy added that he cannot support expending billions of additional taxpayer dollars on the provisions delineated in Cornyn’s amendment, which Cornyn has repeatedly identified as a false criticism. Cornyn said the amendment would have simply reallocated parts of the $6.5 billion appropriated in the Gang of Eight bill.

The Senate has voted on 11 amendments so far, approving three yesterday.